Guri City Council Urges Countermeasures Following Suspension of GH Relocation Process
Vice Chairman Kim Seong-tae and Others Voice Concerns During Temporary Session
At the first temporary session of the Guri City Council held after the announcement of the suspension of the relocation process of the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation (GH) managed by Gyeonggi Province, strong criticism and concerns were raised regarding the suspension of the GH relocation.
Kim Seong-tae, Vice Chairman of the Guri City Council, is pointing out the issue of halting the relocation process of the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation during a 5-minute free speech at the 345th extraordinary session of the Guri City Council held on the 24th. Photo by Guri City Council
According to the Guri City Council on the 24th, Kim Seong-tae, the vice chairman (Democratic Party), urged countermeasures during a 5-minute free speech at the 345th temporary session of the Guri City Council held that day, stating, “The complete suspension of GH’s relocation to Guri is caused by the Guri mayor’s push for incorporation into Seoul and the prolonged vacancy of the deputy mayor position.”
Vice Chairman Kim Seong-tae said, “As confusion surrounding the incorporation into Seoul continues, the possibility of GH’s relocation being canceled has increased, but Guri City currently lacks a deputy mayor responsible for negotiations and coordination with Gyeonggi Province,” adding, “The appointment of the deputy mayor should be completed promptly so that the GH relocation process can be resumed, and cooperation with local members of the National Assembly and political circles is necessary.”
He further stated, “For the future of Guri City, a policy decision to ‘Jeongboncheongwon (正本?源)’, meaning to correct the root cause and resolve the confusion, is needed even now,” and emphasized, “For the future and economic revitalization of Guri City, the GH relocation must be realized, and I strongly urge that normal policy operations be carried out as soon as possible.”
Assemblyman Kwon Bong-su (Democratic Party) also stated in a 5-minute free speech, “The GH relocation to Guri and incorporation into Seoul cannot proceed simultaneously,” and argued, “Now, a choice must be made whether to proceed with the originally planned GH relocation, which has been slowly but steadily advancing, or to continue insisting on the incorporation into Seoul, whose feasibility is uncertain.”
Assemblyman Kwon Bong-su added, “I look forward to Mayor Baek Gyeong-hyun’s wise decision,” and requested, “Please show efforts to carry out necessary actions for the future of Guri City so that the 190,000 citizens of Guri can be relieved from the shock caused by Gyeonggi Province’s announcement.”
Assemblywoman Yang Kyung-ae (Democratic Party) also stated, “The GH relocation to Guri is not simply a public institution relocation but a very important project that contributes to regional economic revitalization and job creation,” and argued, “This incident occurred due to the policy contradiction of simultaneously pursuing incorporation into Seoul and GH relocation to Guri, so a clear stance and countermeasures are needed even now.”
Assemblywoman Yang Kyung-ae further said, “Consistency in policy and proactive measures are urgently needed for the future of Guri City and the happy lives of its citizens,” and earnestly requested, “I sincerely ask for responsible administration and wise decisions for the citizens of Guri.”
However, Assemblywoman Lee Kyung-hee (People Power Party) pointed out that in May 2021, Gyeonggi Province confirmed the relocation of the Gyeonggi Housing and Urban Corporation to Guri City through the third phase of public institution relocation announcement, and in June of the same year, Gyeonggi Province and GH signed an agreement to promote the GH relocation, but the plan has been stagnant for four years since the announcement.
Assemblywoman Lee Kyung-hee mentioned the difficulty of the full relocation of GH due to the move to the new Gwanggyo headquarters last year and requested Governor Kim Dong-yeon of Gyeonggi Province, “Please fulfill the promises made at the Northern Gyeonggi Grand Renovation Project press conference with actions, not words.”
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province announced on the 21st that it would suspend the GH relocation process to Guri, raising issues with the simultaneous promotion of Guri City’s incorporation into Seoul and the GH relocation to Guri.
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